THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508110032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The popularity of coed softball has exploded over the past several years and the reasons are as numerous as the number of teams that play.
For the diehard, coed night doubleheaders are merely another outlet to play. Then there are corporations that don't have enough men or women to field individual teams, so they have taken to coed ball as a way to enter competition and bolster company fellowship.
But probably the biggest reason is the opportunity for husbands and wives, or boyfriends and girlfriends, to spend time together playing the game they love.
``That's what got me started in it,'' Ampmor/Carrier Electric coach Bob Myers said. ``Before we got to be too competitive, my wife played on the team with us.
``I think most of the teams are based on that kind of thing - spending time with your loved one while both are getting in their urge to play softball.''
The increase in participation has been no more evident than in Virginia Beach, where softball commissioner Rich Sauls said he has added about 20 teams a year for the last several years.
The Beach fielded 141 coed teams this season - 12 in a highly-competitive division featuring some of the top men and women players in the area.
``You have families and companies and teams with spouses,'' Sauls said.
Chesapeake fielded 32 teams for its Friday night doubleheaders. Commissioner Jim Morris said he has 47 entries for fall ball.
``And I think it's a lot of the idea that it's just more fun,'' Morris said. ``You got some mighty fine players and teams out there, and it can get very competitive. But I think everyone will tell you it's more fun.''
The success of a coed team lies not with the abilities of the men on the team, but with the women.
``The women make or break a team,'' Myers said. ``You can have the best five guys in the world, but if you don't have five quality women players, you ain't going anywhere. The best way to form a team is to get the five best women you can get and then go get the guys.
``You notice the top teams have the best of both.''
Some of the best coed players in the area will be on display tonight at Greenbrier Park, when the 15th annual Tidewater Softball Championship begins at 7.
Portsmouth city champion Harrison's/Commerce/Mario will go up against Norfolk champion Hooter's for the coed title.
Also at 7, Mt. Pleasant Mennonite will defend its Tidewater church title when it takes on Bethel Baptist in a rematch of last year's championship game.
Following the 7 p.m. finals, there will be a home run derby for the men and a hitting accuracy contest for the women.
At 9, the men's and the women's championships begin - with Portsmouth champion Harrison's/Commerce/Mario taking on Portsmouth runner-up Merchant's/Hoo-Yah's/Barrel in the men's division. Beach champion Cummings will meet Norfolk winner Norfolk Olympia/Superior Pest Control for the women's title. by CNB